Ask Me Help Desk - Faced with repaying my banks over-payment to my checking account, bank error.

First off, let me thank you for your time and briefly explain my dilema. Approx. 7 months ago, I was a victim of online identity theft. Which I was taken for about 1,700 dollars, through my checking/debit card. My bank was great trough it and all monies returned, gradually. It was complicated and little by little I began to see each fraudulant purchase and draft fees returned, but it took about 5 weeks for all. Now, the largest sum was 1,223 dollars. It was returned once only to be taken again, finally in aggrivation returned again. Well, I had several thousand in my checking/ savings at the time and got to the point I lost track, thinking the bank had or would continue doing there job. To sum it up, they apparently had put the 1,223 bucks in my acct, not once but twice! Being absent minded and aggrivated, I didn't think much of it. Until.. today!! when I checked my balance to find I was negative the 1, 223 bucks plus 33 fees! I'm petrified and omg am I broke!! I have also a savings whicj my ssi deposits there auto, each month too. I don't know what to do! I can't repay it, my question is, will they freeze and drain my savings on the 1st? its my rent and all have quite frankly. I intend on calling tomm but, I'm scared of leagl action too. Cwhat should I do?. should I immedialy open a new checkingand savings w/ a new bank before my credit is shot/, I'm disabled and need my ssi and acct's to pay my bills, next week!. please give me advice. It was there mistake in paying me too much.. but I should a kept better notes I know. Al expert advice appreciated much... thanks, slk 1964

First of all if the bank deposited a large sum twice as you said then they had every right to
Take that money back and if you knew it you should have reported it to the bank then? Did you not know that they wouldn't find out? And why did you not close that account out and open another one when you realized you had been a victim of Id theft! Most banks will work with you to close out the old account and set up a new checking account with a new number when this happens and why pray tell did you continue to write checks off that account?

Quote:

Originally Posted by DownUnder

First of all if the bank deposited a large sum twice as you said then they had every right to
take that money back and if you knew it you should have reported it to the bank then? did you not know that they wouldn't find out? and why did you not close that account out and open another one when you realized you had been a victim of Id theft! Most banks will work with you to close out the old account and set up a new checking account with a new number when this happens and why pray tell did you continue to write checks off of that account?

I appreciate your time to answer. My answer is, I did not really realise a double payment because at the time, so many transactions were being disputed, fees, etc.. and I had severalthousands in my checking and savings. It was a nightmare spending 2 weeks on the phone with the bank. Let me aso explain, several purchases were made w/ my bebit card at that time, then continued to post a whole week, so, yes.. it was easily overlooked. My mind was and now, is again in shredds! That was income tax time, that's the reason I had money in both accts. Now though, I had 11 bucks in the posative, when they tell me this. I only wonder who was doing there book keeping honestly. I'm not too witty but I'd sure as hell know I gave someone 13 hundred, before 3 months had passed. But my bank cancelled and reissued me a new debit card, and assured me all would. All I know is, I never, ever overdraw my banking and they should have caught this 3 months ago, when I was able to re-pay. I've never wrote a bad check, over drew. I'm honest and now I'm faced w/ there mistake and broke, unable to pay, out of work even! I'm also terrified and don't know what to do..

Quote:

Originally Posted by slk1964

i appreciate ur time to answer. my answer is, i did not really realise a double payment because at the time, so many transactions were being disputed, fees, etc..and i had severalthousands in my checking and savings. it was a nightmare spending 2 weeks on the phone with the bank. let me aso explain, several purchases were made w/ my bebit card at that time, then continued to post a whole week, so, yes..it was easily overlooked. my mind was and now, is again in shredds!. that was income tax time, thats the reason i had money in both accts. now though, i had 11 bucks in the posative, when they tell me this. i only wonder who was doing there book keeping honestly. i'm not too witty but i'd sure as hell know i gave someone 13 hundred, before 3 months had passed. but my bank cancelled and reissued me a new debit card, and assured me all would. all i know is, i never, ever overdraw my banking and they should of caught this 3 months ago, when i was able to re-pay. i've never wrote a bad check, over drew. i'm honest and now im faced w/ there mistake and broke, unable to pay, out of work even!. im also terrified and dont know what to do..

I'm sorry my spelling is terrible above, and I'm rambling on.my nerves are shot from this though. I meant to say, my bank assured me all was well and did work with me. I also wanted to mention.. 8 separate transactions were identity theft, and all were handled by my bank at various times over weeks. Which is another reason it was hard for me to notice what was going on. The 1, 223.00 was issued to my account.. feb 26th and april13th, they say. My acct had been given the money and taken out again, a few times. It was very hard to understand what they were doing at that time. I'd assume it could happen to most anyone... but, it's just my luck.

Sorry you are having such a hard time dealing with this. What bank are you dealing with? Why not go to the bank and have someone there explain every transaction from start to finish{including the id theft transactions} and get them to explain why you are in a negative balance. Have them show you on paper exactly what went wrong.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DownUnder

sorry you are having such a hard time dealing with this. What bank are you dealing with? Why not go to the bank and have someone there explain every transaction from start to finish{including the id theft transactions} and get them to explain why you are in a negative balance. have them show you on paper exactly what went wrong.

Downunder, thanks for your replys and sorry it took so long to repl. My banking was w/ 5th/third. They have tried to help I suppose. My checking has been closed now and honestly, from here on out, I'll do my best to repay what I'm able too. It just happened at a horrible time is all. I just pray making the effort will be enough, know? Basically the bank had attempted to repay the fraudulant charges to my acct, and made one to many reimburements which I overlooked, due to so many transactions continuosly taking place at the time. Yes, I must take part blame in not seeing the transition. But I'd surely expected the bank to have caught it, first and way sooner, however, one things for sure... identity theft can destroy one's life.. in so many ways. It's a shame people have no consience, when they steal from others. It's just pathetic, know? Especially when one tries hard to be honest and even when attempting to make it right... yet it still turns out wrong. But thanks for your help... take care, :confused:

Yes ID theft is a terrible thing. My friend had his ID stolen,but as soon as he was aware that someone had used his ID the bank helped him and even contacted the police for him so that there would be a record of it. It took about a week but the bank was very helpful with this. Also he signed up for Lifelock so that this will never happen again. Maybe like I said the bank can go over each transaction with you so that you understand what happened,if you are not sure you will understand take a family member or friend with you